Truck driver charged with operating while intoxicated after sideswiping another semi, attempting to flee on foot

Indiana State Police (ISP) arrested a truck driver following a two-vehicle collision on I-70 on Thursday.

The crash occurred around 11:25 a.m. on May 11 in Putnam County, Indiana.

According to ISP, Benjamin Polk, 32, was driving a 2021 Freightliner west on I-70 when he attempted to pass a 2015 Freightliner driven by Jean Cadet, 37, near mile marker 32.

Troopers say that Polk struck the rear of Cadet’s vehicle and then sideswiped it.

From ISP:

“Polk overcorrected causing his semi to tip over onto the driver’s side.  Cadet immediately applied his brakes. Polk’s overturned semi continued sliding westbound, eventually coming to rest in front of Cadet’s stopped semi. After coming to a stop, Polk immediately climbed out of the passenger side window and attempted to flee from the accident scene.  Correctional Officers from a transport vehicle observed Polk running and were able to apprehend him until troopers could arrive at the accident scene.”

Master Trooper Bradbury arrived on scene and “immediately detected” signs of impairment in Polk, ISP said.

Polk reportedly refused to submit to a field sobriety test or chemical test.

Polk then was transported to a hospital after complaining about pain.

After Polk was medically cleared, he was booked into the Putnam County Jail on preliminary charges including:

• Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class C Misdemeanor

Other responding agencies include the Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department, Curtis Wrecker Service, and Putnam County EMS.